Prees Heath Primitive Methodist Church

Englesea Brook Museum

'An Appreciation' from Gunner Watson, 1917

By Jill Barber

Inside a Primitive Methodist Hymnal, was this label. Was it just one, or perhaps part of a set of hymn books, given to Prees Heath Primitive Methodist Church by a grateful soldier, for their kind treatment. It seems likely that he composed the verse himself.

Gunner Watson, of 383 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, has dated this April 8th 1917.

He would have been sent out with the 383 Siege Battery to Palestine in July 1917, as part of the British Egyptian Expeditionary Force

A training camp was set up at Prees Heath Common, near Whitchurch, in Shropshire, in 1915, and during the war, 30,000 men passed through on the way to the frontlines. It is nice to know that Press Heath Primitive Methodist Church helped to lighten 'heavy hearts'.

note added CH Sept 2017

There's a note in the Primitive Methodist magazine (1824 page 116) of the opening of Prees Lower Heath Primitive Methodist chapel. The opening services took place on Christmas Day 1823, which was a Thursday. The note was submitted by William Doughty. Was this the same chapel?